​Reasons behind controversy and criticism 

There are many critical remarks aimed at the UNDP including the following:

    The Lebanese government bears a significant cost of supporting and contributing to the program carried out in certain ministries, while the UNDP itself contributes a small percentage towards most projects and a higher percentage only in a small number of projects.

 

    UNDP employees are paid vast salaries and benefits that are ten times higher than the salaries paid to the public servants within the same ministry, although they lack the superior skills or competence that normally justify such a large pay gap. 

 

    The feasibility of the projects is contested, for the reality on the ground often remains unchanged. 

 

    UNDP employees often constitute a substitute administration within the ministry which causes inaction. 

 

Lebanese government’s contribution to UNDP

LBP 30 billion is the amount paid by the Lebanese government to the UNDP supported in certain ministries and administrations. The 2015 draft budget law allowed us access to the figures donated by the government to this program as illustrated in Table 1.